Wednesday, July 17, 2013

COURT APPOINTEES COSTING TAXPAYERS BIG BUCKS

To his great credit, County Court-at-Law Judge Tommy Chambers once pointed out a common problem found on the backs of Liberty County taxpayers and this same problem came up for discussion in the county’s budget workshop Tuesday. That problem is people who can arrange to pay for their legal representation and can afford it, but claim indigence and the county pays their legal bills.

“Too many people who can afford it want the county to pay for their legal expenses”, Judge Chambers intimated in a discussion relating to the Judges trying to do their part in the conservative use of taxpayer money.Unlike some in government, the conservative Judges in Liberty County have not just simply stated the problem, they have found solution after solution and, then, taken action. Not paying to house non-violent offenders in the jail until their court date has saved the county hundreds of thousands of dollars. An analysis of who should manage the jail, the county or a private management company, is another example of the new businesslike approach County Judge Craig McNair, Sheriff Bobby Rader, District Judges Chap Cain and Mark Morefield, and Judge Tommy Chambers have used to work together as they look for solutions to keep Liberty County from becoming another of the economic horror stories we hear about across the nation.During today’s meeting, when the very expensive cost court appointees issue was brought up as a cost that could possibly be cut, we learned that 3 or 4 lawyers in the Liberty court system make over $100,000 a year on appointments from cases the county foots the bill on. Changing the method of calculating payment was discussed briefly. Judge Chambers, ferreting out whether the county should pay all or part or none of the bill, shows the kind of respect for taxpayers all public officials should have.Unfortunately, no mention was made of court appointed prosecutors. Liberty County seems to be very selective, but still very wasteful, when the D.A. or the County Attorney passes their responsibilities to outside counsel. These appointments are not nickel and dime decisions. They involve thousands and thousands of dollars.

Showbegger wants Liberty County to pay for his legal representation in a case where he sexual abused his child daughters. Friday July 19th at 10:00am he will be in Mark Morefield's 75th district court pandering another one of his scams to the judge. If Shauberger is successful Liberty County will be paying his legal bills. Shauberger has family who can easily pay his legal bills.

I'm all for making sure defendants have access to legal representation... Not just those that can 'afford' justice. However, that privilege can be abused and taken advantage of by those who can absolutely pay and/or make arrangements to cover their own legal costs. As so often happens, abuse of the system can wreck that wonderful system. Kudos to you, Judge Chambers for addressing this fraud.

Good point made by Judge Chambers - Taxpayers are also paying for legal fees for repeat offenders. One time maybe - two times not. Let some of these court appointed atty's learn to survive on their own.

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